Editor,
The gun violence of June, 2016 is unforgivable. These events are the latest in a string of near unfathomable grotesqueness. Children in Sandy Hook, theater patrons in Aurora, church goers in Charlotte and so, so many more. They share a common denominator of the worst humanity can offer. These events are unthinkably cruel and inescapably brutal.
But we must fathom them; we must accept reality. This is not an admission of fear or defeat. Let our reactions as a city, as a state and as a nation be worthy of a people who claim to be free. I am an American citizen. I ask you, my representation, to do something. No one person or party has the answer. But we must do better; we must do more.
Gun violence does not discriminate. Its victims cross the lines of human identity. We cannot cower. We will not hide. America is a democratically elected, representative republic. Mob rule does not hold the ultimate say, even in desperately painful times. You hold the power. You hold the ability to direct our people towards a greater good.
I don’t know what the answer is. I admit that. What to do? Perhaps we can begin with federal funding to outfit every gathering space with metal detectors and other preventative security measures that do not infringe on current law. Perhaps we can revisit the second amendment with a common sense, twenty-first century approach.
It seems to me that we have a well-regulated militia in the armed forces of the United States. America holds the most powerful military might known in the history of the planet. Surely acknowledging the power, dedication and service of our military personnel and their families is a place to start in that important discussion. The supremacy of the American Armed Forces is not to be discounted.
Perhaps we can strengthen and increase mental health facilities and funding across our great nation. I’m not a lawyer or a politician. But surely there are enough out there who hold the common peace in higher regard than party lines and tired rhetoric. I don’t care about political divides. I don’t care about superficial demarcations. I’m asking you to just start somewhere. If these suggestions are not viable, then start somewhere else. You claim to lead. You asked for and received your positions of power. Use that command to start working on the betterment of our people and our land in this specific regard of gun violence.
I am an American citizen, and I put forth this petition: We are America. We have the money, the energy and the people ready and willing to serve. Give law enforcement the resources it needs. Don’t tell me we don’t have the funds – we are the most powerful economy on Earth. Don’t tell me we lack the energy – apathy is not an American value. Don’t tell we don’t have the personnel – we are hundreds of millions strong. America has exceeded its potential time and again. We have the time-tested experience of age and the glorious and optimistic hope of youth.
A good idea is a good idea. No matter where it comes from, take it. You are hereby petitioned: Act. Act now.
Keelan O’Riley
College of Arts & Sciences,
Department of Psychology
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